Forty-one bold and creative contributors to the common good graduated on Sunday, May 31, during the 128th MHS Commencement.

The ceremony took place under a large tent behind the Elizabeth Gatchell Klein Arts Center on the School’s Holmes Road campus and was broadcast worldwide via Zoom.

Hosted by Head of School Julia Heaton, the ceremony included remarks from School President Idia Enoma ’26, School Vice President Akshara Muthavarapu ’26, Senior Class President Pimpisa Jongjaroonrungson ’26, and MHS Board of Trustees President Nancy Gustafson Ault ’73.

Photos by Amy Inglis Whalan ’08 - Avida Love Photography

This year’s Commencement Remarks were delivered by Her Excellency Madam Rulan Samara, Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to the Republic of Kenya. A distinguished diplomat with a 25-year career at the Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Ambassador Samara was introduced by her niece, graduate Noya Samara ’26.

Currently serving as Ambassador to Kenya and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Nairobi, Ambassador Samara is a central figure in Jordan’s multilateral engagement across East Africa. Her expertise spans economic diplomacy, international cooperation, and human rights. Previously, she advanced Jordan’s global partnerships as Director of Economic Affairs, following strategic diplomatic postings in London, Rome, and Bahrain.

The following awards were bestowed on members of the Class of 2026:

• Joseph F. Buerger Memorial School Spirit Cup: Akshara Muthavarapu

• Faculty Commendation Award: Rafi Hernandez Unger

• Christine Fuller Holland ’33 Service Prize: Fabiana Romero

• Meus Honor Stat Keys Awarded for MHS Core Competencies: Vision, Noya Samara; Voice, Idia Enoma; Interpersonal Efficacy, Nguyen Yen Phuong and Mea Richardson; and Gumption, Rebecca Kitonga

• Margaret Witherspoon Award: Xingru Chen and Hyeon Jung

• Engineering and Technology Innovation Award: Jaimie Corpuz

• Doris E. Pitman English Prize: Idia Enoma

• Virginia Breene Wickwire ’67 Reading Prize: Rafaela Romanini

• Elizabeth Gatchell Klein Studio Art Prize: Pimpisa Jongjaroonrungson

• Angela Kalischer Theater Prize: Isabella Aponte

• Susanna McCreath Music Prize: Trinity Ren

• Paul C. Cabot, Jr. History Prize: Mea Richardson

• Horizons Award: Xinyue Ren

• Monique Jalbert French Prize: Nefertiti Williams-Jack

• Spanish Award: Kara Kisselbrock

• English for Speakers of Other Languages Award: Nguyen Yen Phuong

• James K. Ervin Mathematics Prize: Akshara Muthavarapu

• Iive Rouse Science Award: Xingru Chen

• Sylvia “Rusty” Shethar Everdell ’38 Prize: Simma Krantz